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PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
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A Message from Ed Stewart,
President and Co-Founder of PAWS
I have good news… and more good news.
First, PAWS is celebrating 40 years of tremendous success, with the same core management. The rest of the good news is that this success will continue with an important addition. After a worldwide search for several years, we have found a highly qualified replacement to take on some of my duties at PAWS.
I will remain President of the Board of Directors of PAWS. Dr. Chris Draper, formerly of Born Free Foundation, is taking my place as Chief Executive Officer. Chris has a rich background in exotic animal sanctuary operations, having worked in South Africa, Ethiopia and India.
The late Pat Derby and I met Chris more than 15 years ago at a PAWS’ Wildlife Conference. Many of you may remember hearing him present at subsequent PAWS events. I have been working with Chris daily for more than three years at PAWS’ Ark 2000 Sanctuary in San Andreas to ensure a smooth management transition. We have focused on animal care, construction projects, and future planning at the sanctuary. I have complete confidence in Chris’ ability to ensure that PAWS remains a global leader in the protection and care of captive wildlife.
Since 2020, Chris has also been working closely with our solid and experienced animal care management team, which includes the Director of Science, Research and Public Policy (13 years with PAWS), the Director of Veterinary Services (23 years), Elephant Care Manager (28 years), and our Tigers/Bears Manager (18 years). These core individuals and their diligent staff members care for our animals 24/7.
I remember 40 years ago, when I was 33 years of age, riding the train to San Francisco to secure PAWS’ letter of non-profit status from the IRS office. Pat and I then embarked on an uncharted journey filled with struggles and defeats, but mostly monumental victories. We decided early on that we would not only give individual animals sanctuary, but also attack the institutions that had put them in jeopardy.
I take great pride and satisfaction in all of PAWS’ accomplishments. Our motivation has come from the animals we have rescued. Many of their stories are heartbreaking. Some have come from the worst conditions imaginable. Each is a daily reminder that there is much more work to do.
I am humbled by your support for PAWS during our first 40 years. We are stronger now than ever before because of you. I will be forever grateful for your friendship and loyalty, and PAWS is eager to take on the next 40 years.
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Emus Blue, Artemis (in back), Cynthia and Billy enjoying a mud puddle. | |
PAWS’ Emus Are All About Having Fun in the Water – and You Can Help! | |
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This year’s rains have been a delight for the six emus we care for at PAWS. Emus are particularly fond of water, and these large birds – the second tallest in the world after the ostrich – will eagerly engage in swimming and wading, given the chance.
Emus are exclusively found in Australia, often in semi-arid, savannah woodlands. These flightless birds stand between five and six feet tall and can weigh over 120 pounds. With their long, powerful legs, emus can run at speeds of 25-30 miles an hour, with strides measuring as long as nine feet. Their primary diet consists of fruits, seeds, insects, and young plants.
To communicate, emus have an inflatable pouch in the throat that produces deep booming, drumming, and grunting sounds. Calls can carry for over a mile, facilitating communication over long distances. Estimates for emu lifespan vary from 10 years in the wild to 30 years or more in captivity.
The emus we care for at PAWS are Georgette (pictured), Noir, Billy, Blue, Artemis, and Cynthia. Their individual personalities are diverse, ranging from shy (Cynthia), friendly (Billy), easy-going (Blue), and cranky (Noir). Georgette and Artemis are closely bonded and seldom apart from one another.
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Help Buy Pools for Our Emus! | |
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Our emus love water any time of year, unless it’s extremely cold. Currently, we provide sprinklers in their enclosure. This waters the grass, which the emus eat, and they enjoy playing in the sprinklers and wallowing in muddy areas.
With summer coming, we would like to purchase two special pools for our emus so they can bathe, splash, and just have fun.
We selected these pools specifically for their low sides, which provide easy access for the emus, including older individuals who may be affected by arthritis. The pools are safe for the birds and convenient for caregivers to clean and refill as needed.
The cost of two pools plus freight is about $1,000.
If you would like to help give our six emus the joy of new pools, please click on the donation button below.
Your gift enhances the emus’ well-being, giving them with the opportunity to really get wet in refreshing, cool water. What could be better than that?
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PAWS in the News - Our 40th Anniversary | |
This year is a landmark one for PAWS, marking 40 years of rescue, sanctuary, education, and advocacy on behalf of captive wild animals. Our local paper, the Calaveras Enterprise, ran an extensive story on PAWS titled, “Looking back, moving forward: PAWS commemorates milestone year”, with reflections by PAWS Co-founder and President Ed Stewart and introducing new CEO Chris Draper. You can read the article here. | |
African elephant Lulu at the PAWS ARK2000 sanctuary. | |
This Month at PAWS: Lulu’s Anniversary | |
Lulu – who is currently the oldest African elephant in North America –arrived at PAWS in March 2005, 19 years ago! To put this in perspective, in 2019 George W. Bush was president; the popular television series, The Office, debuted on NBC; and the internet site YouTube went online! Ever since Lulu arrived from the San Francisco Zoo, she has endeared herself to all who know and love her. |
2022 PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference attendees. |
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Coming in November: 2024 PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference and
40th Anniversary Celebration
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In 1992, PAWS held its first educational conference, titled “Animals in Entertainment.” Echoing this theme, the focus of this year’s International Captive Wildlife Conference will be “Ending Wild Animals as Entertainment.”
The conference will take place in Los Angeles on November 9 and 10.
Be prepared for an inspiring experience, as leading voices advocating on behalf of elephants, marine mammals, bears, big cats, and other wild animals provide enlightening information and engage in spirited discussions of the key issues surrounding these animals.
We will delve into significant advances that have been made and the challenges yet to overcome to end the exploitation of wild animals.
In conjunction with the conference, we’ll be commemorating PAWS’ 40th anniversary with a special celebratory evening event, making it an occasion you won’t want to miss.
Stay tuned for more details!
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Early giving begins on April 18. Details to come. | | |
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THANK YOU!
March Amazon Wish List Donors:
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Lyne Allen: two bottles of CosequinDS, 132#. Kathleen Barbour: one box of sun dried raisins; one bag of unsalted mixed nuts; one package of fig newtons; one bag of pitted dates; one pack of AA batteries; two bags of jumbo peanuts. J.J: two bottles of AminAvast, 60#. Louis Boitano: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Nancy Gordon: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#, two bottles of CosequinDS, 132#. Terri Ducay: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#, one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Joseph M. Sherman: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Peggy Buckner: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#.Anonymous: four bottles of CosequinDS, 132#, one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. | |
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We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. We have an ongoing need for many of the products listed. Click here to review the items and donate.
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PAWS provides lifetime care to the tigers, bears, elephants, and other animals who call our sanctuary home. Your kind support provides expert daily care, necessary veterinary treatments, and specialized nutritional support, all tailored to the individual needs of each animal. Your gifts make this excellent care possible. | |
There are many ways you can help PAWS animals: | |
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Donate. Although we work closely with regulatory agencies on animal rescues, PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. When you make a contribution for the wild animals at PAWS, it is unlike any other. How many people can say they’ve gifted elephants with spacious rolling hills and a more natural life, or made a present of a lush, tree-filled habitat for a tiger? Or given a bear a new chance at life? And you ensure we are prepared for the next wild animal in dire need of rescue. Three ways to give and every donation matters.
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PAWS is proud of its 4-star rating with Charity Navigator - the highest rating possible. We are part of an elite group of charities with an "exceptional" designation (at least four consecutive years of 4-star ratings), meaning that your gift will have the greatest impact possible. CharityWatch gives PAWS an "A" rating.
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Give to one of PAWS' ongoing MightyCause campaigns: Our "Dollars for Dirt" or "Give BIG for PAWS' Elephants" fundraisers for the elephants, like Prince (pictured), or our "Help Captive Tigers" fundraiser to benefit the rescued tigers living at our ARK 2000 sanctuary.
Adopt A PAWS Animal. If you would like to help our animals, one of the best ways is to become an "adoptive parent," or give a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent! Learn more
PAWS Partnerships. Help us change the life of a victim of captivity by becoming a PAWS Partner. PAWS partnerships help support our sanctuary operations and the day-to-day care of the animals. Learn more
Estates/Planned Giving. You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have PAWS' sanctuary to call home! Learn more
Corporate Donations and Matching Fund Programs. Learn more about what is needed.
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Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise. Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like notecards and coffee mugs - available from our CafePress online gift shop.
PAWS Amazon Wish List. We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. Many items are ongoing. The list is always current! View here.
EBAY Giving Works. Visit PAWS eBay page to view our current listings and to bid. List your items on EBAY and choose PAWS as your charity. Donate a percentage of each sale to the animals. Visit our EBAY charity listing page here. Start selling or buying!
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Shop online through IGive and raise money for PAWS! Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS. Learn more
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